With Andy McNab on his ‘Line Of Duty’ tour we were fortunate Jan Radovic was (extremely) willing to act as Grey Man’s Land on-the-scene reporter. If you’ve never been so fortunate to attent one of Andy’s meetings here’s her report of what you’re missing out on! Betting you’ll be as envious as we are!!
Jan also got Andy to answer a few prying questions – we’ll post that soon too so keep watching this space 🙂
Thanks so much Jan, it’s a great read 😀

AN EVENING WITH ANDY MCNAB CBE, MM, DCM – Part 1
October 2017 by Jan Radovic

What’s it like to spend a night with SAS legend Andy McNab? You’d have to ask his nearest and dearest that one, but an evening spent listening to this man of action’s life of blood, guts, mayhem and war is thrilling stuff…

The variety of audience members is something I have found intriguing over the years; back in the day 50 or so people would gather in an upstairs room at an upmarket book store with a good mix of male/female and youngsters, and all for the princely sum of a fiver. These days the venue is more likely to be a conference room at a motorway-friendly hotel or, as last night, in the auditorium of a school. Attendance numbers are up noticeably, as is the cost: £20 for entry which also included a hard copy of the latest book and, of course, a talk and Q & A session, following by the book signing. Last year the event I attended had over 300 bodies, almost all men with the majority being squaddies or ex military. The testosterone level was so thick it was almost oppressive. Last night’s event was a far more genteel affair – well, the Woodhouse Grove School is a fee-paying public school so one would expect a somewhat different audience – and the split between male/female/6th form students was fairly equal. I asked Andy why he thought this occurred and he informed me that it’s all down to who arranges the bookings and where. What hasn’t changed one iota, though, is Andy’s obvious commitment to reading, and enthusing others with his mantra that knowledge is power.

After a brief welcome and introduction from one of the school’s pupils, who was framed by an array of camo-draped backdrops displaying a rather long finned rocket and flanked by what I think was a GPMG (or Gimpy) and a couple of bergens (the large rucksacks favoured by the military) the stage was set: enter Mr McNab to rousing claps of applause.

To anyone attending these events regularly they are somewhat formulaic in that Andy usually gives a brief description of his childhood and the antics which led to his incarceration at Borstal (think of the film ‘Scum’ and you’ll have an idea) but went with an option to join the military instead. If you want chapter and verse on this period read his autobiographical book ‘Immediate Action’.

From his early years Andy moved on to talk about THE defining moment, although he didn’t fully appreciate that at the time. The regimental Sgt Major informed the newly signed up boy soldiers that their average reading age was 11, but that was all about to change. Contrary to what these lads thought, they weren’t thick, they were merely uneducated. That night Andy read his first book – a Janet and John book. Aside from learning never to climb trees with either as they always seemed to fall out, he discovered that every time he read something new, he learned something new. And, as the man said, knowledge is power to do the things you only dreamed of previously.

The Bravo Two Zero job was the next topic up and it’s clear that Andy feels great pride that this is still the top selling military book of all time, and that following its publication recruitment figures for the military shot up. As the majority of this part of the talk was all known to me, I took the opportunity to study some of the audience surrounding me which included a mix of mainly men, but also a handful of women, and youngsters. The chaps were all leaning forward in their seats and it was obvious they were dying to ask questions, while I noticed half a dozen women wincing at the matter of fact bluntness of talk of ‘taking out the enemy’, describing a colleague who didn’t make it as a ‘sad bastard who was too old and too fat’ to catch a goat herding lad. The youngsters in the audience didn’t seem a bit phased by all the talk of war, dead bodies, or torture. This apparent cold bloodedness is common in those who put their lives on the line. People like soldiers, firefighters, and police officers I have spoken with say it’s a defence mechanism to protect their sanity; whatever works.

When Andy touched on the ‘tactical questioning’ AKA torture, which he and others underwent during their incarceration he was very philosophical about it all: they – the Iraqis – wanted information and questioning prisoners under duress was one of the quickest ways to get it. One of the audience members asked Andy if he would still slot the Iraqis who carried out the worst of the torture and his response was typical: ‘Yeah, yeah. If I could get away with it.’ C’est la guerre.

We heard a few tales of his time in Northern Ireland (the primary reason he still refuses to be openly photographed as there are still people out for his blood), as well as his introduction to jungle training after earning his sand coloured beret. He didn’t mention his crescent shaped scar (which was acquired via a leech and is probably every man’s worst nightmare. Read ‘Seven Troop’ for the full gory details).

Andy touched briefly on his time within a PMC (private military company to the likes of us), and informed us that when he went out to Iraq with others from his PMC they ‘stole an hotel’. As you do. Despite having no water or electricity they offered it as high end accommodation for hoards of broadcasters and, presumably, made a financial killing. You can take the boy out of South London, but… Andy McNab is, and I suspect always will be, a hustler at heart. I didn’t get the chance to question him about Bravo2Burgers or his range of camo bras and knickers (Fact), but diversity seems to be key with this man.

Being a psychopath – a good one – just ask Prof. Kevin Dutton (The Good Psychopath’s Guide to Success) – is possibly what drives this coiled spring of a man. Andy McNab obviously took that Sgt. Major’s words to heart all those years ago because there appear to be few topics he hasn’t read about or have an opinion on, and he has a finger in a multitude of pies. Aside from his writing, which is his bread and butter, Andy is on the board of ForceSelect, an organisation set up in 2009 to help ex military personnel make the transition into business civvy street. He has also recently become involved in PTSD999, a charity set up by a group of individuals with a past in either military or emergency services, and who have either suffered from or been involved with others who have had PTSD. Their remit is to offer help, advice, and confidential treatment. Andy also provided advice and training for a number of Hollywood films including Heat and, as he admitted apologetically, Pearl Harbour. Can’t win ’em all, lad. At least the technical side was good. ‘Red Notice’, a McNab book featuring the character Tom Buckingham has been made into a film, and Andy told me that ITV are currently fixing locations around the UK and Europe for the filming of the Boy Soldier books featuring the characters Danny Watts and his ex-SAS grandfather Fergus. And let’s not forget that for every copy of gaming video Battlefield 3 sold, Andy collects 14 pence (as he slyly told a youngster last night, urging him to get dad to buy a copy). Fingers and pies.

As always the evening was a fascinating insight into the life of one of our ex-Special Forces operatives. It’s such a pity that there is never enough time to ask all the questions that people long to know. Luckily, Andy’s lovely PR lady Laura passed on a number of my questions which he was kind enough to answer, so hopefully some of these will be the burning questions others would like to put to him. [Q&A coming soon in Part 2 ~GML]

Having met Andy three times now, two of the first things many people ask me is what does he look like, what’s he like as a person? I asked him how tall he is and which of Nick Stone’s ‘good bits’ of character are based on himself. With typical Puckish humour he informed me: ‘Good question. Far too good! Clearly anything that he (Nick Stone) does for the right reason is me and hopefully if you imagine him at 6 foot 5, blond hair, blue eyes, 4 foot wide, that is me.’ So there you have it, from the horse’s mouth. It’s all lies, of course.

I can confirm that he’s medium height, has salt/pepper hair, is physically fit, (which one would expect from someone who treks to the North and South Poles, and climbs in the Peruvian Andes), has blue eyes that can change from fire to ice in nanoseconds, is dripping with sex appeal and testosterone, and comes across as a chatty, friendly, and charming individual.

As a member of the audience pointed out, he’s also quite a humble man, especially when one considers his achievements. I would concur with this, but it was a curious comment as many people I’ve spoken with believe all the Special Forces men, including Andy, come across as somewhat arrogant. I suspect what many think of as arrogance is actually just a supreme confidence in their own highly developed skillset. Remember, these men train relentlessly – Train Hard / Fight Easy – and seem to live by the 7P rule – Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. While I know pretty much all there is to know about this man on the public arena, I haven’t the slightest idea what he’s like ‘for real’. Clearly, it behooves anyone in the public eye to behave with circumspection but Andy is probably the friendliest celeb I’ve met; cocky, but very down to earth and not afraid to call a spade a spade. What is particularly likeable about him is his obvious passion to promote reading and literacy: “If I can do it, anyone can.’ He’s also an incredibly good sport. Anyone who ever watched his interview with Holy Moly Man would have been itching to deck the cocky little pipsqueak conducting the interview, but Andy took all the ribbing in good part and played along nicely without once head butting aforementioned HMM.

With daredevil Felix Baumgartner planning to skydive from the very edge of space at 120,000 feet later this year, it’s a good time to take a moment to remember a man who dreamed the same dream, Charles “Nish” Bruce.As many of you know, Nish served with Andy McNab in B Squadron 22 SAS, specifically Air Troop, where he excelled at sky-diving. Nish long dreamed of breaking the free-fall altitude record, and if not for his untimely death (caused in large part by the effects of PTSD) he would have undoubtedly achieved it, as he achieved so many other things in life.
Even those of us who never knew Nish are still touched by his spirit, his daring, and his brave, though ultimately losing, struggle with mental illness. For more on Charles “Nish” Bruce, check out Andy McNab’s Seven Troop, and be sure to read Nish’s autobiography (written under a pseudonym), Freefall.
If there had been more awareness of — and treatment options for — PTSD, Nish Bruce might be alive today. Click for more information on PTSD and how you can help.

Hello Bob, thank you for this interview with Grey Man’s Land. Would you please introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello there, I am Bob Paxman and I am a former Royal Engineer and 22nd Special Air Service. I have spent that last 11 years as a Security Management Adviser in many hostile environments worldwide and I now specialise in the treatment of PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) with a unique process that trains ‘veterans to treat veterans’.

You are the founder of Talking 2 Minds, a (registered) charity that ‘eradicates the symptoms of PTSD’. Why and when did you decide to launch this charity?

My journey through PTSD began some years ago and with hindsight first became noticeable whilst I was serving in the military. I joined the army in my late twenties and rapidly became bored with the whole setup and decided to go for SAS selection. I managed to pass first time and spent several years working in high pressure hostile environments in 9 Troop B Squadron 22 SAS.

After a period of time and several injuries later I finally decided to move on and do something where I had more choice and freedom. Within several months I had left the military and was working as a Non Governmental Military Advisor in Africa. This is where my PTSD started to evolve into something uncontrollable and unpredictable.

Although my behaviour and mental state was deteriorating I found a partner who could see that there was a reason for my aggressive exterior and that there was a gentler human being underneath, struggling to get out. After several years of managing my state my new partner managed to get me to realise that there was something quite wrong with my behaviours and that there may well be an underlying problem. By this time I was working in Iraq as a Security Adviser in a senior management role. In around 2004 I approached the NHS (National Health Service) for help and was passed from pillar to post as there was little knowledge of existing treatments or providers. I met many likeminded sufferers along the way and eventually was taken into a well known UK charity that provides respite for former military sufferers of stress related disorders.

It quickly became apparent that there is little or no effective treatment for PTSD or severe stress related disorders. There are lots of very caring people and organisations offering help with the highest of intentions as well as the sharks who want to prey on the weak for their own personal gain.

I completely lost the proverbial ‘plot’ after spending 2 weeks in the care of a specialist combat related stress charity in UK. When they told me I would have to ‘face up to facts and take the drugs’ I decided to change tack and carry out my own research to save my mind.

Along my journey I looked into many kinds of therapy and suggestions of how to manage my state. All well and good for someone to tell you what to do when they haven’t experienced the living hell and the pits of madness themselves.

After several months of research and admitting to friends that I wasn’t well I came across a friend of a friend who was a life coach and was also helping people with PTSD and stress related disorders. During all of this time I continued to work in Iraq where I was a Senior Security Adviser in the red zone.

I eventually found Mick Stott who had developed a unique process. Mick spoke the same language and the feeling of someone actually understanding me was unimaginable! Regardless of the curative effect of his treatment I felt so much better for just being amongst ‘my own’.

After the first session I lost my nightmares and flashbacks. Two more sessions were enough to see me waving goodbye to my PTSD demons. Like George Foreman, I was so impressed by the results that I got trained up and together Mick and I now run Talking2Minds, a charity with the sole aim of treating people with PTSD.

Mick had been a Senior Physical Training Instructor in the British Military Academy at Sandhurst. He had come up through the ranks to become a Captain in the PT Corps and had been tasked by the MOD to investigate civilian performance enhancing courses in order to increase pass rates within the military for various courses. During Mick’s years in the military he had studied many disciplines and philosophies and has picked the bones out of those that work and added them to some of the more modern approaches. Mick has his own school of personal development and therapy (Quantum Performance) that is now inextricably linked with Talking2Minds and conducts the training and validation of all those that work with Talking2Minds to ensure efficacy.

How can you tell if you’re suffering from PTSD, what are the signs?

To begin with the sufferer is generally totally unaware that there is anything wrong with them. The problem starts with negative self talk followed by nightmares and flashbacks that creep up on you over a number of years and quickly become part of your life. Usually sufferers self medicate with alcohol in order to get some sleep.

Anger and depression, along with hyper vigilance and over exaggerated startle response then tend to become apparent. Many sufferers withdraw into themselves, destroying relationships along the way. A proportion begins self harming, either mentally or physically, in order to escape temporarily. Some may ever exercise in order to gain temporary release by the added endorphins that are generated.

Please explain to us, what can be the consequences of suffering from PTSD?

The sufferer cannot sleep properly for fear of nightmares. Cannot stay awake for fear of flash backs. Personally I couldn’t be left alone for more than about 10 minutes without the movies beginning to play. On many occasions films and news releases or even smells or tones of voices would set me off.

Living in a constant nightmare inside your own head drags you down to the point where many want to simply end it. Since the Falklands conflict we have now lost more combatants through suicide than killed in action. There have been many suicides already from Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan.

What would you say to anyone who thinks they might suffer from PTSD?

Speak to someone and get the negative thoughts dealt with asap. It can take years to be diagnosed by the system, which is distressing in itself, so speak up and ask for help before it starts to destroy lives.

How can you help them, can you tell us about your programme and what does ‘synergy’ mean?

The Synergy programme is a unique therapy that has been designed specifically to eradicate the symptoms of PTSD.

Synergy means ‘the effect of the whole is greater than the sum of the effects of the individual parts’ – therefore what we have is a series of structured therapeutic interventions that target the root cause of the problems and doesn’t target the symptoms like other therapies do.

We are results focused around the clients needs and ‘content free’ which means the client does not have to revisit any traumatic memories.

Having suffered myself the last thing that a sufferer want to do is revisit something they are desperate to get rid of.

The Talking2Minds Synergy programme uses a combination of 4 main disciplines: NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Reiki, Hypnosis and Time Line Therapy. They are cemented together with performance related coaching norms. Having looked at NLP and the way that it has been bastardised over the years to fit financial and marketing models we have taken it back to its therapeutic beginnings and started again; together with the coaching norms and our own R&D interventions this has produced the mother of systems.
We have many clients that have had been through the complete range of treatments that are available in our health service which include some badly delivered NLP and Hypno from people that have had the highest of intentions but woefully miss the point with what they do.
The following is a very brief explanation of the discoveries that we have made when we compared and contrast our Synergy programme with the other systems available:

CBT
CBT was designed in 1923 by Albert Ellis for desensitising children to fear of the dark, not severe stress related disorders. Change the way you do things and you change the way that you think about that thing, it can take years to desensitise a traumatic memory. CBT is based on Pavlov’s dog 1960’s stimulus response system.

EMDR
Designed by an NLP Practitioner and initially only taught to medical Doctors. Not designed for PTSD. It utilises a gentle exposure to a trauma. Similar to CBT and can re-traumatise the client as they connect with their memories. Not for those that are AD. It can work with very visual people over time.

EFT / TFT
Uses acupressure on certain areas allowing certain energy movement around the chakras. The key to this discipline is Meta Modelling and identifying the correct Gestalt (From German: “essence or shape of an entity’s complete form”)/what context to deal with.

Counselling
Non directive i.e. no interventions.

Psychotherapy
Non Directive i.e. no interventions.

With these therapies, and others, they use an extrospective approach that encourages the change to happen on the outside. Our Synergy programme uses an introspective approach that has the client search for the changes to be made on the inside. This is achieved by connecting with the client’s model of the world. Many existing systems are deployed over long periods of time and may even form dependencies as they don’t completely remove or reframe the trauma. This in a financial context leaves the client suffering for years or for life, which equates to vast sums of money and ties up therapeutic resources.

In UK the NHS is struggling to cope. As time goes on the problem will worsen to astronomical proportions unless it is checked. Since the Falklands conflict we now have in the region of 100,000 former military that are suffering from severe stress-related disorders. This only takes into account those who have been identified and diagnosed. There are thousands that suffer in silence until things go terribly wrong for them. The civilian population suffering from severe stress-related disorders is in the 100’s of thousands. The problem in the United States is reported to be even bigger, with around 80% of soldiers going on to develop PTSD.

We know from experience that the root cause of a trauma is not the memory of the trauma itself, instead it is the emotions that are connected to that trauma that makes it disturbing. Unhook the emotions and all that is left is a memory. We go back to root cause with the client, identify the first time that they experienced an emotion and assist them quickly to understand and neutralise that emotion. The key to this phase is identifying the correct Gestalt with Meta Modeling and using the correct intervention to facilitate change.

Talking2Minds also has an internet based product, to assists us to lead those into therapy that have severe aversion problems and oppressively low esteem, that can be deployed by telephone, email, Skype and face to face. Our 3 and 5 day courses not only re-frame the client’s model of the world, it allows the client’s self esteem to be re-built and it allows for goal setting which installs direction and purpose which has invariably been lost due to the illness.
Post course, the palliative care aspect for the client incorporates the new networks that have been established with other clients as well as the Practitioners. A high proportion of the clients come back to train in our system or go on to achieve fantastic results in their own lives.

How do you know your programme really works?

We have been asked if the changes are permanent. Our answer is yes, with the following caveat.

Based on our research, it is quite possible for a client to be re-traumatised should they re immerse themselves in a hostile environment or endure a further traumatic event although to date this has not been the case. We have clients that are still serving in the military and still work in hostile environments. Not one has come back to us re-traumatised. Once the client has been through the course they are able to make sense of what situations they become involved with. As for my journey through this process I have managed to work for several years in African War Zones and Iraq for over 5 years whilst still suffering from PTSD. During the latter stages of my employment in Iraq and after having treatment some 3 ½ years ago I have found it easy to fully comprehend the hostilities which I have subsequently experienced without further negative reaction.

Looking at the numbers that are coming to Talking2Minds, that have been through the myriad of therapies available without any degree of long term success, the Talking2Minds Synergy system speaks for itself. The clients leave us having rewired themselves and become active and productive members of the community. We also treat family members who may be suffering by proxy.

We now statistically analyse all our client outcomes which are externally validated to ensure the efficacy of our programme by using recognised instruments and recognised scientific methods that tell us that the client is getting well – along with the clients feedback telling us that they are getting well.

Talking2Minds has its own governing body that has teeth and we have strict rules and regulations to ensure that the brand is not watered down or taken advantage of at the detriment of the client.
By running a ‘Veterans helping Veterans’ or ‘like helping like’ approach it assists us to build that extra little bit of rapport with the client or the clients family member that may be suffering by proxy. By allowing veterans, and others that have suffered, either directly with a severe stress related disorder or by proxy, to train in our system and operate under our umbrella, we are expanding exponentially each time a course is run. We regulate the quality of Practitioner as all therapeutic programmes are run by a validated trainer who overseas Master Practitioners and Practitioners alike.

It’s quite a step to seek help, it’s often considered a ‘sign of weakness’, what would you say to those who hesitate seeking help for this reason?

One of our countries greatest leaders had PTSD and referred to it as his black dog. Sir Winston Churchill was the figure head a leader that brought us through WW2 to victory.

When you are ready you will make that step. Personally I would class it as a sign of strength. To make positive steps in both personal development and health can only be a good thing and we have many clients that are treated off the radar for obvious reasons.

Can anyone suffering from PTSD contact Talking 2 Minds, or just (ex-)soldiers?

Anyone can contact Talking2Minds for help. The charity is run by ‘veterans to help veterans’ and by ‘like to help like’. What we have belongs to the people that are suffering and we are being very protective as there are many out there that would see our process watered down for financial gain.

Our process cost less than £2000 to run and that is a mere fraction of the cost of the current care programs, therapies and drugs prescriptions. We can save the country millions both in therapy and in collateral damage that is caused with in communities.

Does one need to be diagnosed with PTSD by a doctor to be able to participate in your program?

We treat people in a non judgmental way so anyone who is displaying the symptoms of PTSD can come on a programme. We are all aware that the current systems of diagnosis can swing wildly across the spectrum dependant on who diagnoses a client and when.

Our clients self diagnose with World Health Organisation and NHS recognised Quality of Life instruments.

Regardless of what diagnosis the client has we are here to help and we liaise with the GP or Mental Health teams where appropriate.

PTSD is just as tough on members of the family, what advice would you give them?

Families can be devastated by PTSD and PTSD by proxy. When the sufferer realises that their behavior isn’t appropriate and that there is proper help out there, then you have taken the biggest step. PTSD can be removed and the damage repaired.

Is it possible for family members who suspect their relative to suffer from PTSD to contact you as well for information?

We welcome family members contacting us for more information. We then encourage that the client contacts us directly. That’s the hard part for the sufferer.

What could or should the government do more – or different in your opinion?

Unfortunately the systems that are being currently used widely are outdated and were never designed for PTSD.

It has been stated by those that have been through our process and are now well, that the Government and those NHS organisations that deal with veterans should be funding us directly. Unfortunately the Global Government statements sound convincing and hold no water.

Talking2Minds has been trying to obtain Government funding for the last 18 months. We are a complimentary therapy and we do not need to be approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), although we follow the guidelines and model best practice.

Our sufferers in UK can’t wait 15 years for us to be accredited by NICE so that we can be taken seriously. How many more have to suffer and even die before we can get funding.

A Government or PCT funded Pilot Project should be entered into NOW.

Is there something (or more) that could be done before and in the field to prevent/limit PTSD from occurring, or at least from being as severe?

The easy solution to this is having a pre-deployment brief from one of our veterans that is trained in our process highlighting the signs and symptoms.

During deployment the TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) programme that the military use can identify some of those that are likely to suffer from a stress related disorder.

Post TRiM or at the request of an individual there should then be access to one of our trained Master Practitioners in theatre who will be able to treat the individual allowing the reframing of their negative thoughts.

Post deployment those that develop the symptoms of PTSD can be treated with the full Synergy programme around 6-8 weeks after the individual experienced a significant trauma.

Upon leaving the forces all military should be screened and briefed on PTSD by our Practitioners and therapeutic work undertaken where needs be.

We have quotes from many senior military Officers that suggest that this should be available to everyone within the forces.

Both Simon and Andy are doing wonderful work behind the scenes spreading the word and have a firsthand knowledge of PTSD. Andy’s book Seven Troop is written around several of the guys who have been victim to PTSD and its debilitating effects.

Together we must raise the awareness around PTSD in order to de stigmatize it.

Talking2Minds depends on fund raising and donations, how are you doing at the moment?

Fundraising is difficult in the current financial climate and the larger charities are scooping what pots are available as they have full time fundraisers and can afford the marketing experts. At present we are desperate to not only bring in enough monies to keep our courses running but also to employ a fundraiser to open doors and obtain the funds necessary to take our therapy to those that need it.

To date we have raised about 20K that has gone straight to therapy. We as a group of volunteers have ploughed in around 300k to develop the therapy and to get the charity to where we are today.

We are in desperate need of funding.

A lot of people suffer from PTSD, how many are you able to help now and what does it take to increase that number?

Currently we self fund around 100 people a year through our processes that have been diagnosed with PTSD and as a group about 3500 with other stress related disorders

With funding and on the model that we have tested our school can expand the number of trained staff sufficiently for us to expand to around a 1000 on year one and an aim of 4000 a year on year four.

A million pounds will see us treat in excess of 600 people.

Are there any upcoming events to raise funds for Talking2Minds?

There are many events that have been planned and are taking place over the next 3 years.

We have a team Talking2Minds who are on a build up to race to the South Pole in 2 years time.

Two guys with the combined age of 103 are rowing the Atlantic to break a World Record in support.

We have a Rally car team supporting us as well as Veterans International Aid who are a charity that is raising money to get sufferers through our PTSD therapy by hosting expeditions and adventure events.

As finances come in and people start to raise money for our veterans with PTSD so more events will be planned.

In what ways can we make donations, contribute and/or support your cause?

Thank you so much for your time Bob, we hope you can continue the good work and be able to expand even, so a lot more can be done and a lot more can be helped. We wish you and Talking 2 Minds all the best and will continue to support you.

The British National Party will soon be launching an online auction of two autographed books by well-known military author Andy McNab to raise funds for the organisation “Help for Heroes.”

This announcement was made last weekend by BNP leader Nick Griffin MEP, who was speaking at a South Shropshire BNP fundraising dinner. “It is a disgrace that there are so many ex-servicemen who are homeless,” Mr Griffin told the packed establishment. “The present government is quite happy to use these young people in their illegal and immoral wars but when they are done, these same young men are cast aside,” he said. (…)

The BNP leader then produced two large hardcover books: Brute Force and Seven Troop, written by well-known author Andy McNab. Both books had been signed by Mr McNab and were specifically endorsed for the organisation Help for Heroes. “These books will shortly be auctioned online by the BNP and all the funds raised will go to Help for Heroes,” Mr Griffin said to great applause.